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The Silhouette and The Forge
Chapter 51
Everyone was enjoying themselves at the gala. Even those who didn’t like their compatriots from certain countries set it aside to enjoy the food, drink, and schmooze with others to make connections that would help their countries get ahead. Ever since the incident with Silhouettes' androids, most of the media had slandered her name so much that United Nations members wanted nothing to do with her.
Even when it was proven that those things weren’t people just machines they still kept their distance. Before they would have tried to cozy up to her or compliment her looks but now they all treated her like a wolf amidst sheep. It angered Wonder Woman that it took something like that for them to turn on her.
Wonder Woman herself stepped forward in a white dress reminiscent of a toga but it was classy and tasteful yet practical. None to date had attempted to attack a UN event like this since most of the villains stupid enough lacked the resources and the crazy ones were locked up far away. The glittering chandeliers of the UN gala refracted the soft light from the setting sun into rainbows across the polished marble floor.
Diana moved gracefully through the crowd when she saw that Aquaman with his wife Mera had arrived if the gathering of officials was anything to judge. Moving through the gathered people she was greeted by the sight of her friend and coworker.
“Aquaman, it is good to see you. And this must be your wife Mera you speak so fondly of.”
Aquaman smiled, his arm wrapped around Mera’s back as she stepped forward, her blood red hair arranged in an elaborate braid that went over her shoulder while wearing a tight-fitting emerald green dress that showed her curves. It wasn’t because she wanted to show off for it was simply the culture of Atlantis and how they dressed.
Aquaman was dressed in his usual attire. A tight-fitting orange scale mail and dark green leggings. He even held in his hand one of the symbols of his rulership of Atlantis, the trident.
Arthur had grown his beard out which made him look more rugged drawing the attention of some of the gathered women for the event. “A pleasure to meet you Wonder Woman, Arthur has told me much about you and the others in the Justice League.”
Mera said back being both polite and kind. Both of them hit it off talking about the local politics and what they hoped to bring about in meaningful change. Eventually, the topic changed to their younger years when the two enjoyed one another’s company. Arthur himself would join in talking of youthful fun and enjoyment before the topic shifted to their deeds as heroes.
“… and so Arthur thought it would be a good idea to instead attempt to attack the monster from within, allowing it to swallow him.” Wonder Woman said with both Mera and several ambassadors laughing and chuckling to Arthur’s chagrin who sat at a table looking embarrassed. His trident leaned against his shoulder while people enjoyed the stories shared.
“To be fair it did work. I managed to stop it.” Arthur pointed out how his strategy did work.
“That it did Arthur.” Wonder Woman acknowledged with a small smile the rift between her and the people she protected temporarily forgotten.
One that was quickly wiped away when the lights flickered. The screens came to life with trumpets playing on the speakers.
The gathered ambassadors and workers watched with rapt attention as thick smoke poured from nearby vents, and strobe lights of crimson, azure, and violet cut through the haze.
Wonder Woman and Aquaman both were ready with Arthur getting up out of his seat actually thankful that a villain was doing something. At least he hoped it was a villain. The security around them were looking around unsure with the ambassadors murmuring amongst each other confused about whether this was a part of the event.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” A deeply masculine voice came from the speakers, the same kind you would expect to announce something for wrestling, “You are about to experience the once event! An event so breathtaking it would steal your breath and soul away yet make you feel more alive than you ever had in your entire life!”
Arthur eyed the help seeing how some of them were too calm for what was going on. The voice on the speakers rambled on about the greatest fighters they would ever see, artificially created to bring the greatest gladiator match of all time, and to please the masses. About bringing glory back to mankind.
A trio of figures masked by the smoke emerged, descending from the ceiling with the precision of military drones, each striking an over pose midair.
“Behold!” The first figure boomed, his red skin and white hair with his skin looking like it had magma just under the surface like a living tattoo. “I am Jeice! The inferno unleashed! Fear incarnate, fire eternal, you will burn before my brilliance!” He said in an Australian accent.
He was humanoid in appearance just like the other two. He wore a black jumpsuit with sleeves under the odd white armor over his chest. The man’s white hair whipped wildly as he landed, spinning a column of fire that barely missed a marble pillar. Guests ducked and quickly backed away when the room's temperature began to get hotter. “The great fire that destroys all in its path! The Red Magma, Jeice!”
To the right was a turquoise colored man with short blonde hair curled to the left with a full-length purple body suit under his armor. He shifted into a handstand pose, legs spread out wide, electricity crackled along his form sending a surge of electricity that shorted out cameras and light fixtures.
“The spear of the heavens, breaker of mountains, the Heavens Bolt, Salza!” He said with a French accent.
The one in the middle was smaller than the android Wonder Woman had fought against that had helped tarnish her name and reputation but he was impressively well-muscled all the same.
He was green-skinned with even longer hair than the red one but unlike his comrade, his hair looked wild and untamed. He wore the same armor as the other two but he had nothing underneath it save for purple underwear looking similar to a wrestler. “And I… am Dore!” His massive frame made the marble groan under his weight.
“The unstoppable fist, the indomitable wall! Strength beyond measure! Healing unmatched! None shall topple me!” His armor gleamed like polished steel, fists clenched, muscles tensing with barely-contained force.
“We are the Triple S! Super Silhouette Squadron!” They yelled out in unison with those attending the event realizing what that implied when the newest villain everyone was talking about was mentioned. But what happened next made them all pause, baffled by what was happening.
The trio struck another pose-- Jeice did a fiery backflip, Salza spun midair with arcs of electricity trailing behind him, and Dore planted both feet firmly, arms raised like a colossus. The room erupted into chaotic gasps and whispers as they began to rapidly back away.
“They’re posing…” Wonder Woman spoke her thoughts aloud, and one of her eyes twitched. She felt like she was being mocked.
“By Poseidon’s seaweed encrusted beard…” Even Arthur was wincing at the ridiculous sight before him.
Many of the workers and ambassadors started to leave the room with security guiding them out. None made an attempt to try and fight back against the trio since they were androids like the previous three. At least that’s what Diana was assuming about them but she would have to be careful not to let Silhouette further mar her image. Especially with the UN only recently backing off and not going through with any further restrictions on her and the League's charter.
Clapping came from a corner of the room making the three people with the fleeing ambassadors look over. He walked around a corner with that gas mask and black trench coat. It was none other than Silhouette.
“Bravo! Bravo! Damn good show boys!” Silhouette said. The gas mask he wore was a symbol on their armor pieces in the upper parts of the chest plates.
“Thanks boss!” Dore said with a big smile.
“Now you all might be wondering why oh why is Silhouette here? Why come to the gathered United Nations gala event? That’s an easy answer!” He held a finger up like he was lecturing them.
The only thing saving Silhouette from Wonder Woman was that there were still people in the room she didn’t wish to risk. Once they were out of danger Wonder Woman would repay him not only for embarrassing her but also for helping smear her reputation and the Justice League's for that matter.
“I’m here to entertain you! And what better way to do that than to bring the old ways into the future! We’re going to gladiator school! Or at least the Amazon and the fish people are.” The three figures dropped their poses all falling into fighting stances.
A drone hovered behind Silhouette with a large lens narrowing then widening like a camera.
“Atlanteans.” Mera said stiffly with an unimpressed look on her face.
“Is there a difference?” Silhouette asked like there was no difference in his eyes. Both Aquaman and Mera narrowed their eyes.
“Yes. One is insulting and the other shows respect.” Aquaman said firmly but calmly his grip tightening on his trident.
“Good thing then that neither of us respects you.” Black Manta said, stepping into view.
Aquaman's eyes widened when several more of his men in uniform rushed in rifles aimed and ready to open fire. Manta turned towards the strange-looking men all of whom watched Wonder Woman like a hawk would a mouse.
Yet Wonder Woman only had her gaze on Silhouette. Everything else beyond saving the various people around paled in comparison.
“Manta, keep Aquaman's whore occupied. I’ll handle Aquaman. Boys the Amazon is ready to have her world get rocked! Show her a good fight!”
“What did you call my wife?!” Aquaman growled out only to be silenced when a fist smashed into his jaw, launching him up and out of the building through a window with Silhouette jumping out right behind him.
Wonder Woman turned to fly after him instead her head snapped to Jeice who was the first to strike at her. With a flamboyant twirl, he unleashed a torrent of fire, a spiraling vortex that expanded faster than expected. Wonder Woman deflected the flames with her bracelets, but the heat singed the marble under her feet.
She winced feeling the heat was enough to even make her uncomfortable but it was nothing she couldn’t handle. She just hadn’t expected it to be capable of harming her since most villains who used heat or fire couldn’t do much to her beyond a select few.
Every fireball that grazed her armor under the burning dress burned like molten metal. He was durable, the few counters she managed to get through he handled far better than the previous androids blocking with surprising skill before retaliating in almost artistic bursts of flame.
Salza moved in with blinding speed, disappearing and reappearing around the room. He struck at Wonder Woman from impossible angles, each attack imbued with electricity that disrupted her movements and senses. He analyzed her reactions instantly, countering and moving in tandem with Jeice striking with cold precision, each strike calculated, brutal, and humiliatingly clever.
Jeice with both hands held together had an aura of shimmering heat that formed a bubble around him before his skin and veins under it began to glow like lava, an orange orb forming in his palms before he thrust forward. Diana felt sweat trail down her face, eyes pin pricks. She knew better than to let that hit her and narrowly dodged to the side taking a lightning-enhanced kick to her ribs for her trouble from Salza.
The orb launched with everything along its path burnt to a crisp turned to ashes like winter snow or melted like hot wax from a candle. Most things were outright turned to ashes with the tables, glasses, and chairs. But others like the silverware and even the marble flooring were decimated by the attack turned into liquid from the intense heat.
The instant it impacted the wall it outright vaporized it in a bright fiery explosion that sent hot air rushing out in every direction.
The sound of birds chirping had Diana look in time to see Salza charging at her with his hand outstretched like a spear with lightning coating it leaving a trench over the marble floor when it passed over in his mad rush. Aimed for her throat Wonder Woman narrowly evaded what would have been a fatal attack.
But not without taking a few hits for her trouble with the lightning clad hand thrusting and slicing around her with her struggling to keep up with his speed taking several cuts that made her muscles spasm. Just when she was about to counter and let the cocky machine who was laughing haughtily at her with that obnoxious French accent have a taste of her fist Dore charged head-on like a battering ram.
Wonder Woman was so preoccupied with the other two that she couldn’t keep her attention on the third one. She was paying for that now when he shoulder charged slamming her back several dozen meters, her feet carving trenches in the floor with her wincing when the melted marble soaked her feet.
Just when Salza and Jeice were going to attack her again numerous tendrils of water that were in nearby fountains were drawn into the air forming tendrils that grabbed and tossed the two of them into a far-off wall before it rushed around them. Forming two spheres of water Mera walked forward, eyes narrowed at the two.
“An unfair fight if I ever saw one. You’ll have to get through me if you want to help your friend fight Wonder Woman.” She said coldly, contemplating killing them here and now.
Just when she made her decision Jeice shared a look with Salza both holding their breath. If it was an act or not Mera couldn’t tell. Salza gave Jeice a gesture telling him to get on with it. Mera was impressed that he could even move that much under the immense pressure the water exerted on his body.
Not taking any chances with a mental flex her magic came to her call turning the water spheres into several-ton blocks of ice. At first glance, the water wouldn’t look like that much but she had siphoned much from the water supply in and around the building condensing it down into those spheres.
She let out a breath of relief turning to go help Wonder Woman before a crack and a wave of heat had her look in horror when the ice didn’t so much as melt as it was instantly vaporized in a flash of heat and flame from Jeice’s glowing body.
The other sphere began to crack an ominous blue glow with tongues of electricity arcing from it. They carved out deep grooves into the ceiling and what pillars were left standing near them.
Mera quickly leaped back to avoid the intense overwhelming heat and forks of lightning before she formed more water with a wave of her hand launching multiple spears towards the man whose white mane of hair had flames wafting off of it with the other glaring at her arrogantly.
They both posed with Jeice holding his arms out in a Y formation, flames dancing at his fingertips while Salza's torso was parallel to the ground, one leg straight with an arm extending out.
“Do not mock me,” Mera said, feeling slighted by how they were doing those ridiculous poses when she was right in front of them. Knowing that the water wouldn’t be enough she was coming up short on what to use to defeat them.
“Don’t worry about it ol’ Sheela you put up one heck of a fight.” Jeice complimented her from behind her. Her eyes widened in horror.
Turning in time her arms raised before his fist snapped out flames and heat waves coming from it. She screamed and gasped in pain as her arm sizzled where his fist met it. Sending waves of water spears that punctured through the marble floor he simply stood there with a cocky smile.
A bubble of pure heat surrounded him that was untouched by the attack with any water even getting close just evaporating into nothing. Mera was sweating feeling the sweltering heat yet she was wary. Before she even had a chance to make a new plan they disappeared in another burst of speed.
Before she could do anything, a series of rapid punches landed on her chest knocking the air out of her lungs before she was launched into a wall and out into the open. Cries of horror came from outside that they ignored turning towards Dore and his fight.
Dore rushed forward, uncaring of the kick aimed for his solar plexus as he just shrugged it off like he had every other time with a sadistic smile. He grabbed her leg and arm with precision more like that of a wrestler. He attempted to suplex her but she managed to snap a kick out using even more power than she had against the first three machines she had battled.
His head flinched back but it did nothing to wipe that smile off his face. If anything it grew even more when she continued to fight. Instead of punching her or anything else he pulled his arm back and tossed her across the room. Smashing through a table with food and drinks now covering her with the green giant never once letting up.
Wonder Woman managed to slip a few kicks and punches in between his attacks and even managed to draw blood to her surprise. Not just from the absurd durability this thing had compared to the one from before but she could also see flesh and muscle inside the wound. Her eyes widened realizing they may not be machines.
“Ha ha ha! That’s more like it. Ain’t no fun till’ someone draws some blood. Gets me pumped up little lady!” He said with glee. His movements were more like a berserker. Each impact reverberated through her and the marble floor cracking and cratering sent out shockwaves that made the building around them groan.
Wonder Woman grit her teeth feeling the power behind each punch. It was like a mountain was pressing down on her crushing her under its weight and she was only holding on by a hair's breadth.
Wonder Woman accepted the consequences of what would happen because she knew she couldn’t hold back any longer. If these three were not machines then she would face the punishment that would come if they perished.
Increasing her strength when a massive fist aimed for her nose stopped, her hand holding it back. Both she and the green giant shook and struggled against one another’s strength. She wasn’t going all out. Close. But not fully there just yet.
“Ooooh! Still got some left in the tank? Well, so do I!!!” His gaze became bloodthirsty with a manic look in his eyes as his already impressive strength grew even further. He lifted her and started swinging her around before she used the momentum to break his grip on her by snapping a few of his fingers. She spun off using the momentum with a spin kick right into his ribs, shattering and cracking his armor.
Several satisfying cracks told her that she had managed to break his ribs. Her satisfaction faded as her smile dimmed seeing the man laugh happily like a child being given a present. The shallow side where the broken ribs had been began to fill back in like a deflated balloon filling up with water.
He rolled his shoulder showing no sign of discomfort or injury. He looked up at her charging yet again but unlike before she was capable of doing more damage against him even if he healed back from any wound inflicted on him.
Wonder Woman was breathing heavily, her body hurt with the various injuries begging her to stop. But her pride as a warrior would have none of it.
“Dore, don’t hog all the glory for yourself.” That damnable French accent grated on her nerves.
After the two traded punches sending a shockwave that shattered what was left of the glass in the now ruined building, sliding back she saw the other two with Mera nowhere to be found.
“What Salza said, Dore. Though I was thinking about you not sharing all the fun!” Jeice said, his smile growing.
With that the other two joined in with the three encircling her with no room to maneuver, their teamwork nearly perfect with no openings for her to exploit. A barrage of punches and kicks slammed into her from all sides and impossible angles.
A lightning-enhanced leg knocked her off balance, a wave of heated air blinded her eyes, and a powerful punch straight into her gut sent her up into and through the ceiling sailing off into the sky before she stopped mid-air finally able to open her eyes.
Only to be greeted by the sight of the three charging her. Wonder Woman now sore, frustrated, and angry cut loose. Each strike cracked the air like a whip, sending booms and shockwaves across the sky. They were far enough up that most of the area would be left intact. Mostly.
The three surrounded her, hitting her and taking advantage of any openings or overextensions she was getting beaten. They were easily several leagues above the first three she had battled.
Yet it wasn’t enough to take her down. Hundreds of blows were exchanged in a matter of seconds. Electricity crackled making her grit her teeth forcing her body to move despite the muscles locking up and the constant pain she was in. Salza was the most intelligent of the three, each attack made was cold, calculated, and brutal in its efficiency.
He took any openings the giant Dore provided since he took the brunt of her attacks. Each blow made him move back and damaged his body enough times that were it not for his healing factor he would be stuck in a body cast for years.
Eyes widened before she dived, managing to avoid a ball of heat. She felt the searing heat on her back with her outfit was further charred all but falling away in blackened flakes. Her hair was a mess with strands sticking out everywhere with bruises all over her body. Aches and pains yet she had ignored all of it just like she was taught to back on Themyscira.
“Salza, Dore, you think she sees our power now?” Jeice asked the other two.
“Of course she does. Look at her. Like a kitten before three wolves incapable of doing anything.” Salza sneered.
She felt her temper rise at being mocked and considered weak. “Heh! It’s fun fighting her. Weak or strong she puts up a fight regardless. Let’s show her our power. Posing time!”
The three in the middle of their fight had the audacity and arrogance to pose together while a moment ago they had been giving her one of the greatest fights of her life. Despite how badly she wanted to attack them while they did their stupid pose she needed to make a tactical retreat.
Trying to get some distance and think of a way to divide them while she was at it. She could take them individually but all three together were too much.
“Incoming!” Dore yelled happily making her look up only to get slammed into him before both fell into a forest clearing.
A crater formed from the impact with Dore rising out of the dirt brushing himself off and moving his arms and legs like he was stretching. Diana opened her eyes glaring before rushing out of the pile of dirt she punched Dore's cheek sending him flying through several trees toppling to the ground.
A rush of wind told her everything she needed to know, sidestepping a hand wreathed in lightning aimed to grab the back of her head. A counter kick had him disappear and reappear randomly. Making an educated guess she lashed out with her elbow smacking Salza right in the face.
He backpedaled cursing in French cradling his face. “Salza!” Jeice yelled in concern, rushing right for her.
Taking her lasso out while Jeice was a formidable fighter he had a glaring weakness that she had seen in the short time she had clashed with the three. He left himself wide open with his attacks preferring style over substance.
Diana timed it just right when he performed a dramatic flip before wreathing his hands in intense heat that instantly dried up the grass in the surroundings.
She lassoed his legs just when he would have landed. “What in blazes?!” He exclaimed in shock.
He growled before using his power, heat escaped his feet and hands letting him fly but he couldn’t get out of the lasso nor was Wonder Woman about to lose her grip. With a happy smile, she pulled and with a heave, Jeice was thrown off course.
His power is still active, helping knock him off course. It helped Wonder Woman with his fire and heat being expelled made it easier to spin him around.
“I’m back!” Dore said posing.
“Dore duck!” Jeice screamed out but it was too late.
Jeice slammed into Dore and the two went flying back where Dore just came from both screaming one in a panic the other in pain. Nearby trees and plants were set on fire or instantly dried up into desiccated husks.
“How dare you!” Her eyes narrowed when Salza rushed around her, hitting her with his index and middle fingers that sparked and snapped like an exposed wire.
He aimed for vulnerable parts of her body but Wonder Woman did her best to keep him from hitting anything too vital. But he never once went for it instead opting to go for what would inflict the most pain.
Timing it just right she made a small jump when his hand snapped out for her inner thigh that would have even made her wince at the pain that she would have been subjected to. Body now parallel with the ground she stared at the widened eyes of her adversary. She grabbed his shoulders ignoring the shock to her system before slamming him down with both knees into his chest making him gasp.
Before she could do anything more heavy steps had her look up only to see a massive green fist knock her head to the side. Spittle flew from her mouth, blood mixed in coating the ground. Another fist hit her in the stomach driving the air from her lungs. Knocked into the air she spun mid-air to see the enraged face of Jeice.
“You're not beating us! We are the elite!” His leg wreathed in flames slammed into her ribs, the heat intense and the force behind the blow was even greater. She slammed into the ground sending a shockwave that threatened to knock the trees far in the distance over with the ground cracking and cratering when she met Gaia once again.
She tried to get back up but was forced back down by Dore whose smile had never once left his face. It was a sadistic smile, the same kind she had seen so many others wear when they bullied someone they believed to be weaker than them.
His knees slammed down onto her arms and she managed to get up in time to block the attack. It made what air she could get into her lungs leave her with his hands clasped together and her arms pinned she could only watch his clasped fists come down towards her face.
It made her see stars for a brief moment before she was snapped out of it when she saw Dore get off of her. The other two stepped up looking displeased compared to the biggest of the three who was just happy.
“To think you managed to embarrass us… let me show you what I think of that.” Salza spat before raising both hands.
The air above the tree line crackled and sparked. Salza's frown changed into a big happy smile. Wonder Woman looked up in horror watching a pillar of lightning take form before rushing down towards her.
Create three androids using unstable Extremis that could compete with Wonder Woman +100
Disrupt the UN gala +50
